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He takes a deep swig of his beer before smiling at me. “I’m happy for you, man. Harlow’s great. You could do a lot worse.”
“That’s what I keep telling him,” Cole mutters.
“Gee, thanks,” I say making them both laugh.
“Seriously, though,” Luke says. “What the hell took you so long? Didn’t you have a crush on her like 10 years ago?”
I open my mouth to reply, but I don’t have a real answer. Finally, I sigh. “The truth is, I was too caught up in my own life to worry about dating. Ella and work kept me busy. Plus, Harlow and I didn’t exactly hang out back then. We only started hanging out at all because of you and Piper. I don’t know how long it would have taken me to figure out how great she is if it hadn’t been for you and that fake dating disaster.”
Luke grins. “I wouldn’t call it a disaster. It landed me a fiancé, didn’t it?”
“True,” I say.
“He just sucks at wooing,” Cole says. “I’ve tried to help him, but he won’t listen to me.”
I roll my eyes. “You and that word again. Why don’t you find your own girl to woo and stay out of my love life?”
Cole just grins, unbothered by my words. He lifts his beer to his lips. “Maybe I will.”
“So, what’s the plan with you two?” Luke asks. “Is it serious?”
I consider his question. It’s been three days since my first date with Harlow. That’s too soon to decide if it’s serious, right? What’s the protocol on things like this? I suddenly realize that I have no idea. I haven’t been in a serious relationship since Ella’s mom. I’m not even sure I’d call that serious if I’m being honest. Maybe Cole is right, and I really don’t know how to woo a woman. Shit.
Looking up, I catch sight of blonde hair shot through with hot pink and everything goes still. My thoughts settle. The noise of the restaurant fades into the background. All I can see is her. Harlow. I don’t know why she’s here right now, but I don’t care. I'm just happy to see her. She looks incredible, in a casual sleeveless dress that shows off her legs and a smile that I know she only gives to me. From the corner of my eye, I notice Luke staring at me. When he follows my gaze, he laughs.
“I guess that answers my question.”
“He’s a goner,” Cole chimes in.
I ignore them, keeping my eyes on Harlow, watching as she walks toward the bar where I’m seated. It takes me a second to notice that Piper and Layna are with her.
“I hope you guys don’t mind,” Luke says. “Piper and I planned to meet for dinner after the fitting. But when I told her we were all hanging out, she asked the girls to come along.”
I smile at Harlow as she approaches. “I don’t mind at all.”
“Hey,” Harlow says, looking a little unsure about how to greet me.
Standing, I close the distance between us, lean down and kiss her cheek. “Hello, gorgeous,” I whisper before straightening to my full height.
When I turn back to the others, I find four sets of eyes staring at me and Harlow, who’s now blushing at the attention. Cole is the first to move. He gives one, loud clap and grins.
“That’s what I’m talking about, Linc,” he says. “Woo.”
Luke laughs as Layna and Piper just look confused.
“What’s he talking about?” Harlow says in a voice low enough that only I can hear it.
“I’ll tell you later,” I whisper, taking her hand in mine.
I may not know the answer to whether Harlow and I are serious. But I do know one thing. I like being with her. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep being with her. Including wooing her. Whatever the hell that means.
“It’s about time you two figured your shit out,” Layna says. “Can we get a table? I’m starving.”
Cole leans in toward her. “I may know someone who can get you into a booth.”
Layna rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. “The hostess could get me a booth.”
Cole laughs as he stands. “Come on. I had them save us one in the back.”
